| Description | Meeting Papers and correspondence for the British Psychological Society BPS Centenary Sub-Committee, 2000.
6 January 2000: Letters to Chairs of Divisions, regarding the invitation list for the 'Milestones' Conference Invitation List.
24 March 2000: BPS Centenary Sub-Committee CSC Minutes and papers. Discussion includes: that the manuscript for the edited History of British Psychology book was finished; that the bid to COPUS [Committee for the Public Understanding of Science] to finance the Psychology Trail was not successful, but that the Science Museum are still going to develop a psychology trail, on a smaller scale, after Easter; that English Heritage are still researching C.S. Myers regarding the blue plaque; that Geoff Bunn will present ideas for the Science Museum exhibition at the BPS History and Philosophy Section conference in April; the possibility an exhibition in the Midlands using archive material - Graham Richards had looked into it - but had not had time to take further. Regarding the National Portrait Gallery project - progress noted; a notice to be placed in the Times asking for a good quality priont of Beatrice Edgell; the NPG not keen on the exhibition travelling, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery have no vacancies until after 2001; a reproduction version of the exhibition might be mounted at Society conferences; a final list of portraits of deceased eminent psychologists ready by summer; a list of contemporary psychologists ready by autumn; next meeting should discuss public lectures associated with the exhibition. Regarding Sponsorship: that CASIL [Conference Associates and Services International Limited - an external conference firm] have withdrawn their sponsorship proposal, that Stephen White would be sending a letter to companies the society has links with for sponsorship for London Underground advertising; Regarding other speakers/organisations—Alan Cowey’s lecture at the Royal Society, liaising to confirm date, there would be a small reception following, that the British Academy would be contacted again regarding organising a Centenary event; suggested that Diane Houston would contact ALSISS [Association of Learned Societies in Social Sciences] regarding public lectures, that BPS could do the first one in 2001; Regarding Presidential Addresses: no reply had been received to the offer to read manuscript, Steve Newstead should contact Ingrid Lunt; Centenary Schedule: the article in The Psychologist was noted; Vicki Bruce would use her column in the Psychologist to talk about Centenary activities; that the American Psychological Association article about 100 years of American psychology would be circulated; That John Groeger would contact National Film Theatre about a series of films; a specal edition of the British Journal of Psychology would be published - agreed to check date; the Edinburgh International Science Festival dates as 7-17 April in 2001; reporting to council; National branch receptions, including video link ups; Centenary recruitment poster for universities; Branch reps from Northern Ireland and Wales should be invited to the next meeting of the CSC; That a further letter should be sent to Journals committee; Journals cover design; Centenary stamps - follow up; Regarding staffing: that the budget remains the same. Regarding the January ‘Milestones’ conference, speakers confirmed: Chris Brewin, Usha Goswami, Declined: Sally Lloyd-Bostock; No reply: Tom Cox. Vicki to ring Tom Cox. Title of the conference, agreed as 'Psychology - a science for society'; regarding the Centenary Vice President, that Steve Newstead accepted the nomination; Vicki Bruce, Tommy MacKay, Steve Newstead to meet and discuss duties. Regarding the Annual Conference: the possibility of a Psychology fair; a celebration; possibility of fireworks; the use of Finnieston Crane in Glasgow in connection with the celebration- Tommy MacKay to investigate; cakes-Vicki Bruce investigating design and cost; a permanent plaque for the conference at the SECC - John Walker to investigate; that the celebration should be areception with sparkling wine and nibbles; local companies to be invited to contribute raffle prizes; Regarding the European Conference: that press co-ordination was needed. Regarding the Budget: the committee spent less than expected—confirmation needed that this money still available - a discussion at the next meeting about how to spend. Regarding the British Association: Stephen White will write to Mike Burton. Wessex and Wight branch want to organise an event on ‘Psychology and the Internet’.
31 May 2000: BPS Centenary Sub-Committee Minutes and papers. Discussion includes: Progress of the Science Museum project noted: English Heritage turned down a blue plaque for C.S. Myers, but Geoff Bunn had urged them to consider one for W.H.R. Rivers; draft plan for the Centenary exhibition was discussed including issues of space, linking to the history of medicine and history of neuroscience, that the area called 'the primitive' should show more clearly how things are today, that the exhibition balance past, present and future - especially considering where artefacts are historically interesting but ethically dubious, updating the puzzles, tests should only show practice items, otherwise test would be compromised; however BAS (British Ability Scale) could be shown in more detail as completely different to current one; graphic panels ideas; Lynn Murray's work with mothers and babies, some of the work psychologists do with primates. That the Science Museum exhibition would not be suitable for touring. Visual Projects: A portrait of Beatrice Edgell would be sought through an advert in The Times; costings for reproduction of National Portrait Gallery for conferences or on the Web be sought; Sponsorship: no pledges had been received. Liaison with other speakers/organisations: Alan Cowey at the Royal Society in February, date tbc; Vicki Bruce was still trying to persuade the Royal Society of Edinburgh to run a public lecture; No progress with ALSISS [Association of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences]. Regarding the Book of Presidential Lectures: no manuscript had been received by the Books Group. Regarding the Centenary Schedule: that further liaison needed with National Film Theatre; the British Journal of Psychology is producing a centenary issue, the British Journal of Social Psychology will have a special article, the British Journal of Clinical Psychology is producing an editorial and the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology is planning a contribution; the possibility of a tangible way that Journals could mark the centenary, such as with new covers; Vicki Bruce to ask October Council how they plan to celebrate the centneary; National Branches event planning. Royal Mail stamps will be followed up; Regarding the January ‘Milestones’ conference: Tom Cox, Chris Brown and Usha Goswami have all accepted invitations to speak; Diane Houston consulting with Geoffrey Stephenson about who to ask to speak on psychology and the law; Regarding the Annual Conference: the possibility of a Psychology Fair would continue to be explored, by Rory O'Connor, the conference should ask to keep open the booking for the exhibition hall until sunday; fireworks on the Saturday of the conference would be organised by the Standing Conference Committee; a banner on Finnieston Crane in Glasgow would be investigated; Vicki Bruce looking at the costing for cakes from a Glasgow company; that local dignitaries be invited to the Thursday night event celebrating the centenary; that a local dignitary, preferably be the Lord Provost, should be invited to unveil the plaque; Regarding the Budget: contingency and staffing discussed; regarding the British Association: that the Psychology section would contact the committee about their plans in 2001. Website: centenary pages would be added; Branch plans: a small stand purchased for use at agricultural shows in the South West; that other branches would be written to encouraging similar requests. The Psychologist plan for the Centenary year noted. That Vicki Bruce would write about key events in the January 2001 issue.
6 July 2000: BPS Centenary Sub-Committee Minutes and papers. Discussion included the Science Museum project exhibition proposal: feedback from the committee received with thanks; as well as the Torres Straits expedition there would be a section on contemporary anti-racist psychology; the edited volume Psychology in Britain: Historical Essays and Personal Reflections is now with copy editors and photography being arranged for the front cover; a psychology trail will run throughout the museum; two placement students from Cumbria have been seeking out objects at universities to add to the exhibition. W.H.R. Rivers will be considered for a commemorative blue plaque; Regarding Visual projects: a suitable portrait of Beatrice Edgell had been obtained; other suitable portraits include Hilda Himmelweit and Lowenthal; two possible photographers are being considered to take the commissioned portraits. A Sponsorship pledge has been received from Blackwell Publishers; that advertisements for London buses should be investigated; Regarding Liaison with other speakers: Alan Cowey will speak at the Royal Society on the 22 Feb 2001; that Vicki Bruce will speak at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 11 April 2001 about ‘Identifying faces: a psychological investigation’; ALSISS [Association of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences] will to run a series of public lectures and BPS can do the first. Vicki Bruce would follow up with Ingrid Lunt on Presidential Addresses; Regarding the Centenary Schedule: persistent problems liaising with the National Film Theatre, and this should be removed from the schedule; John Groeger and Stephen White should explore the possibility of three feature films with a psychological theme on either BBC2 or Channel 4; Journals Committee are discussing whether to put the Centenary Logo on their covers at their Centenary meeting. Video link-ups have been investigated. Stamps: the Post Office had already allocated issues for 2001 and 2002 but not informed BPS. Diane Houston and Judi Ellis should explore the possibility of bidding for an exhibition in Parliament; January ‘Milestones’ conference is titled: ‘Psychology: A Science for Society’; David Farrington had accepted an invitation to speak on psychology and the law. Regarding the Annual Conference in 2001: a careers fair will be run on the Wednesday of the conference; Rory O’Connor is continuing to explore the idea of a psychology bus; that a banner for Finnieston Crane would cost £2,000 and be charged to the centenary budget; that costings for cake will continue to be explored. Regarding Branch Plans, inviting branches to consider education projects to which the Centenary Sub-Committee might be able to make a small grant.
[Additional copy of Notes and agenda with annotations from committee member Barry Brooking's files retained and inserted here]
14 September 2000: BPS Centenary Sub-Committee Minutes and papers. Discussion includes Science Museum activity: video link-up at the Science Museum reception - that costs exhorbitant and therefore it was not viable, however webcams suggested, and it was agreed costings would be obtained, as well as technicalities; Proofs of the collected essays book, ‘Psychology in Britain: Historical Essays and Personal Reflections’ are now ready, cover images being discussed; Geoff Bunn's monograph ‘The Human Factor’ has not been accepted by BPS books, the committee made a number of suggestions as to other possible publishers; the exhibition ‘The Secret Life of the Mind’ had a revised object list, 80 percent of which had been collected whilst the BPS Science Museum Fellow (Geoff Bunn) had been in post; the exhibition is on the schedule; the possibility of acquiring objects from the Millenium Dome’s ‘Mind Zone’; Discussion of a touring exhibition. Regarding the Psychology Trail: a draft leaflet noted—a good way to encourage visitors to wander the museum and finish in the Centenary exhibition; Geoff Bunn suggested some of the objects collected could be displayed in other parts of the museum, for example the Mass Discrimination Apparatus. Signage for the trail discussed, and that the leaflet should include a guided route; Geoff Bunn to write two short pieces for The Psychologist, including a piece about the trail, for the February issue. Regarding the book of Presidential lectures – that Ingrid Lunt is in the process of recruiting someone to help finish the book; Regarding English Heritage Plaque to W.H.R. Rivers—a lead from Geoff Bunn on where he lived, and also the possibility of a house in Devon where C.S. Myers lived. Regarding Visual Projects— that the commissioning of photographs for the National Portrait Gallery is a success, Halla Bellof would report at the next meeting; Regarding Sponsorship: costings and deadlines for advertisements in the London Underground be obtained, would check with sponsors if they would be happy to sponsor this, agree wordings, send to Science Museum and National Gallery for comment; Regarding Liaison with other speakers: that Alan Cowey will speak on ‘Functional localisation in the brain: From ancient to Modern’, that an ALSISS [Association of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences] lecture should be held on the evening of the ‘new-style London Conference in December 2001’; That Diane Houston would suggest a name for a speaker at the next committee meeting, bearing in mind paradigmatic tensions between concepts of psychology as a science or as a social science. That Vicki Bruce will speak at the British Academy on an aspect of psychology and language, that the BA have also proposed a joint event with the Society to celebrate the Centenary; that the Wellcome Witness Seminar was noted - that Tilli Tansey should include Pat Rabbitt in any plans as he is involved in work on the history of the Applied Psychology Unit; On the Centenary Schedule, that a series of features films on BBC2 or Channel 4 be pursued; That the film ‘Regeneration be screened at The Phoenix in Leicester, as an opportunity to advertise the Society’s Centenary programme. That Judy Ellis and Stephen White are to meet regarding a bid for an exhibition in Parliament; That four speakers at the January ‘Psychology-A Science for Society’ conference [previously referred to as the ‘Milestones’ Conference] be invited to submit key points to using on posters; That invitations for ‘Psychology—A Science for Society’ were ready; Regarding the Annual Conference, the invitation to register had gone out, the budget for the Careers Fair discussed, the mobile exhibition would use the Parkinson’s Disease Society bus, the cost to be determined, as well as plates to cover the Parkinson’s Disease Society logo. That the bus would be static in George Square, Glasgow, and that Glasgow City Council had been approached—discussion of parking and staffing the bus; A design for the banner on Finnieston Crane was agreed; That a company had been found to make the centenary cake; that the wording for the plaque at the conference should read, ‘The British Psychological Society, Centenary Conference was held here SECC 28-31 March 2001’ and arrangements for making the plaque should go ahead. That Presidents of the American, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and South African psychological associations and IUPsyS [International Union of Psychological Sciences] should be invited to the Annual Conference, their registration fee should be waived and they should be guests at the Annual Conference. That at the Registration desks for the conference should be ten panels featuring historical information, one for each decade of the society; It was agreed that it was not appropriate to bid for lottery funding; that the Society Website was up and running; Budget should be brought to the next meeting; that Centenary gifts and conference packs would be discussed; that the call for contributors to Centenary coverage in The Psychologist had gone out.
10 November 2000 BPS Centenary Sub-Committee Minutes and papers. Discussion covered activity relating to the Science Museum—including the trail leaflet, still planned; the edited volume of ‘Psychology in Britain: Historical Essays and Personal Reflections’ was in the press, that ‘The Human Factor’ is at present with the publishers in Cambridge, awaiting decision; Regarding the Science Museum exhibition, that this will be in the form of three showcases entitled ‘Stories, Tools and Puzzles’ with an additional fourth featuring Hans Eysenck’s lab from the Maudsley hospital—discussion was had about Eysenck’s controversial role, and discussion of how to approach interpretation and planning for the press statement. Regarding the title of the exhibition, ‘Mind your head’, that some members of the committee were unhappy, but others liked it- that the Science Museum had editorial control over this; Regarding the exhibition launch—it would take place on 18 January 2001, and be a joint event to launch the book of essays, 'Psychology in Britain...'. It was hoped 60-70 people would attend, including 30 Society people. It was agreed all society members attending should be sent a briefing document - that dealings with the press be referred to Sue Cavill, Geoff Bunn or Vicki Bruce; that Katie Hirst and Sue Cavill would liaise to ensure that this letter was sent to the relevant people; that three book editors would be invited to the launch, but that there would be a reception for all the book contributors on 19 January, which could be attended by Tommy MacKay and Vicki Bruce. That the first draft of the invitation was noted and discussed, and that the invitation would be sent out in December. Regarding links with the Millenium Dome, that Vicki Bruce, Pam Maras and Barry Brooking had visited the ‘Mind Zone’ exhibition, but there was not enough suitable material for a travelling road show—in relation to this, discussion of future co-operation between the Society and the Science Museum. Regarding another travelling exhibition (from the USA, titled ‘Illusionworks’) in which the Science Museum is involved, that BPS would need to see the content before deciding whether it wanted to be involved. Regarding Visual Projects, Halla Belloff's suggestions had been made for speakers at public lectures during the National Portrait Gallery exhibition, including Elizabeth Valentine, Halla Belloff, Geoffrey Bunn. Regarding the possibility of using Webcam for video link-up - Katie Hirst would check. No report on the Book of Presidential Lectures. Regarding Sponsorship that two offers, from a book publisher and a test publisher, totalling £10,000 had been made, but the book publisher did not want to be associated with advertisement on public transport. Regarding liaison with other speakers, that the ALSISS [Association of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences] lecture will be on Monday 17 December 2001, at the House of Lords, organised through the Academy, that Diane Houston will contact regarding three possible names of ALSISS Academicians who might speak. Regarding the Centenary schedule: an abbreviated version to be published on the website; Regarding film at the Phoenix Theatre (in Leicester): Barry Brooking in discussion about a suitable film. Regarding an Exhibition in Parliament: a budget of £15,000 had been allocated for a part-time Parliamentary Officer, this person and the new Centenary Officer could take forward; Discussion of poster printing costs; Regarding the January conference: ‘Psychology-A Science for Society’—that invitations had been sent, following a refusals, a second mailing of invitations was going out—discussion of potential invitees; Psychology Bus: this would proceed; Centenary Banner on Finnieston Crane: that the word ‘Centenary’ be removed from the banner, so it could be used again; Wording agreed for the plaque in Glasgow to read: ‘The British Psychological Society, Centenary Conference, SECC, 28-31 March’. Invitations to Presidents of Commonwealth and American Psychological Associations: that the invitation should be extended to include the President of the Irish Society. Budget noted. An Agreed budget for Centenary gifts at £6,000, including bookmarks, stickers, pens, mugs, glass/crystal paperweights for dignitaries. |
| AdminHistory | The Psychological Society was founded on 24 October 1901 at University College London. Its aim was 'to advance scientific psychological research, and to further the co-operation of investigators in the various branches of Psychology.' It changed its name to 'The British Psychological Society' in 1906, to avoid confusion with another society.
In August 1991, ten years before the centenary of BPS in 2001, Stephen White [BPS Director of Information], initiated activity among BPS staff to support the celebration centenary.
A working party was founded in August 1991 following a meeting of Stephen White, Allan Sakne [BPS Business Manager], Amanda Briggs [BPS Conference and Events Manager] and David Bird [BPS Assistant Executive Secretary].
The working party was later to be established as a formal Sub-Committee under the Finance & General Purposes Committee in 1996. |